Aromatic hunting lure vaporizing device

Abstract

An aromatic hunting lure vaporizing and distribution device uses an electric heating element to rapidly vaporize a liquid and an integrated fan to distribute the vapor. The liquid can include a glycol or a water-glycol mixture. A scent material such as liquid or powdered deer urine or a pleasant scent that can be used as a room or automobile freshener is mixed with the liquid. The hunting lure vaporizing and distribution device selectively receives disposable cartridges that hold the aromatic hunting lure or scent liquid to be vaporized. In one configuration, the cartridge includes the liquid form of the lure without a heating element. In another configuration, the cartridge includes the electric heating element as well as the liquid form of the lure. In any of these configurations, the cartridge can be single use or refillable.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electric liquid vaporizing device for vaporizing a liquid scent material into an airborne vapor; the device comprising:
 a base carrying a power source and a fan; the base including a power source housing and a fan housing; the power source housing carrying the power source; the fan housing being carried by the fan housing; and the power source housing being removable from the fan housing; 
 a cartridge removably carried by the base; the cartridge carrying a liquid scent material and an electric heating element adapted to vaporize portions of the liquid scent material that contact the electric heating element when the electric heating element is powered; 
 the electric heating element being carried by a burner; the burner defining an air flow channel having an inlet and an outlet; the burner also defining a liquid scent material inlet; the inlet of the air flow channel being in fluid communication with the fan; 
 the base carrying the fan defining an air flow channel having an outlet; the base and cartridge cooperating to define a plenum with the outlet of the air flow channel of the base and the inlet of the air flow channel of the burner being in fluid communication with the plenum; and 
 the cartridge defining a vapor outlet in fluid communication with the fan. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid scent material includes an animal lure aromatic material and at least one of a propylene glycol and a vegetable glycerin. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source housing is removably connected to the fan housing with a threaded connection. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector that extends through the fan housing to connect the power source to the burner. 
     
     
       5. An electric liquid vaporizing device for vaporizing a liquid aromatic hunting lure into an airborne vapor; the device comprising:
 a base carrying a power source and a fan; 
 a cartridge removably carried by the base; the cartridge carrying a liquid scent material and an electric heating element adapted to vaporize portions of the liquid scent material that contact the electric heating element when the electric heating element is powered; 
 the cartridge defining a vapor outlet in fluid communication with the fan; 
 the liquid scent material including an animal lure aromatic material and at least one of a propylene glycol and a vegetable glycerin; and 
 the cartridge defining a liquid holding chamber that surrounds a portion of a vapor distribution channel; the vapor distribution channel terminating at the vapor outlet. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the electric heating element is carried by a burner; the burner defining a liquid scent material inlet; the burner extending into the vapor distribution channel and the liquid holding chamber is in fluid communication with the liquid scent material inlet. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a wick carried by the burner between the electric heating element and the liquid scent material inlet. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a timer that selectively powers the electric heating element to vaporize the liquid scent material. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 5 , further comprising an on/off switch that controls delivery of power from the power source to the electric heating element. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a timer that selectively powers the electric heating element to vaporize the liquid scent material. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an on/off switch that controls delivery of power from the power source to the electric heating element. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid scent material includes an aromatic material and at least one of a propylene glycol and a vegetable glycerin. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge defines a plurality of vapor outlets that allow the vapor to be distributed about the entire perimeter of the device. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the base includes a power source housing and a fan housing; the power source housing carrying the power source; the fan housing being carried by the fan housing; and the power source housing being removable from the fan housing. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the power housing is removably connected to the fan housing with a threaded connection that allows the power housing to be used with powered attachments such as a flash light. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge defines a plurality of vapor outlets that allow the vapor to be distributed about the entire perimeter of the device. 
     
     
       17. An aromatic scent cartridge for use when hunting game that is removably and replaceably connected to a vaporizing device base; the cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body defining a liquid holding chamber; a liquid scent material disposed in the liquid holding chamber; the liquid scent material including a game animal lure aromatic material and at least one of a propylene glycol and a vegetable glycerin; 
 the game animal lure aromatic material including one of a game animal urine and glandular secretion; 
 a burner that defines an air flow channel having an inlet and an outlet; 
 the burner defining a liquid scent material inlet in fluid communication with the liquid holding chamber; 
 the burner carrying an electric heating element in fluid communication with the air flow channel defined by the burner; the electric heating element being adapted to vaporize portions of the liquid scent material that contact the electric heating element when the electric heating element is powered; 
 the cartridge body defining a vapor outlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the air flow channel defined by the burner; and 
 the liquid holding chamber surrounding a portion of a vapor distribution channel; the vapor distribution channel terminating at the vapor outlet. 
 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the burner extends into the vapor distribution channel. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the cartridge body defines a plurality of vapor outlets that allow the vapor to be distributed about the entire perimeter of the device. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 19 , wherein the cartridge body includes first and second portions that are joined together with a threaded connection; the first portion defining the liquid holding chamber. 
     
     
       21. The device of  claim 20 , wherein the first portion of the cartridge body defines a refill opening; the second portion of the cartridge body sealing the refill opening when the first and second portions are joined together to form the cartridge body. 
     
     
       22. An electric liquid vaporizing device for vaporizing a liquid scent material into an airborne vapor and distributing the airborne vapor from the device; the device comprising:
 a body carrying an electric power source, a vapor distribution airflow generator, a liquid scent material holding chamber; and an electric heating element disposed to contact the liquid scent material; 
 the vapor distribution airflow generator adapted to selectively create a vapor distribution airflow adapted to carry vapor out of the body; 
 the liquid scent material holding chamber carrying a vaporizable liquid scent material; the vaporizable liquid scent material including one of a propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin; 
 the electric heating element adapted to vaporize portions of the liquid scent material that contact the electric heating element when the electric heating element is powered; and 
 the device having a vapor outlet in fluid communication with the electric heating element and the airflow generator such that the vapor distribution airflow can move vapor generated by the electric heating element through the vapor outlet. 
 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 22 , wherein the electric heating element is carried by a burner; the burner defining a burner airflow channel having an inlet and an outlet; the burner also defining a liquid scent inlet; the inlet of the burner air flow channel being in fluid communication with the airflow generator; and the outlet of the burner air flow channel being in fluid communication with the vapor outlet. 
     
     
       24. The device of  claim 23 , wherein the portion of the body carrying the airflow generator defines a plenum with the inlet of the burner air flow channel being in fluid communication with the plenum. 
     
     
       25. The device of  claim 23 , wherein the body includes a funnel-shaped portion that defines a portion of the liquid holding chamber; the funnel-shaped portion adapted to feed the liquid scent material into the liquid scent material inlet of the burner. 
     
     
       26. The device of  claim 22 , wherein the body includes a removable cap that allows the liquid holding chamber to be refilled without separating the liquid holding chamber from the airflow generator. 
     
     
       27. The device of  claim 22 , wherein the device defines a plurality of vapor outlets that allow the vapor to be distributed about the entire perimeter of the device. 
     
     
       28. The device of  claim 27 , wherein the body includes first and second portions that are joined together with a threaded connection; the first portion defining the liquid holding chamber; the first portion of the cartridge body defining a refill opening; the second portion of the cartridge body sealing the refill opening when the first and second portions are joined together to form the cartridge body. 
     
     
       29. The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a timer that selectively powers the electric heating element to vaporize the liquid scent material. 
     
     
       30. The device of  claim 22 , further comprising an on/off switch that controls delivery of power from the power source to the electric heating element.